Meali'i Kalama

Mariah Meali'i Namahoe Lucas (Richardson) Kalama (Jan 3, 1909 — Aug 22, 2004) was a Native Hawaiian quilter who was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship. She is known for popularizing Hawaiian quilting, and is well known in the Hawaiian quilting community. Kalama was also an ordained lay pastor under Kahu Dr. Abraham Akaka of Kawaiahaʻo Church - Westminster Abbey of the Pacific.

Early life Kalama was born on January 3, 1909, in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her youth, she often watched her grandmother and mother work on their latest quilting project. It was during her childhood that her interest in quilting began to grow. In her teenage years, she expressed her interest in quilting and, following, she spent a year and a half completing her first quilt with a design based on the ulu or breadfruit tree. Until her retirement in 1975, she was the Park Director and also taught at "Papakōlea Playground" (known today as Papakōlea Community Center) and at other parks, and was a lay minister under Kahu Abraham Akaka at Kawaiahao Church.